STOCKTON — The Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted to allow the Office of Emergency Services to partner with a Northern California non-profit, Hold Your Horses to provide critical support during natural disasters and emergencies in San Joaquin County. 

Specifically, this agreement protects local livestock by allowing HYH’s volunteers and staff to care for animals at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds if the Animal Services shelter should become full.  

 “Our county suffered catastrophic flooding in 2023, but this Board is determined to take the lessons from that flooding and prepare for future emergencies to best provide care for and protect the people and property in San Joaquin County,” noted Board Chairman Robert Rickman. 

“This is about taking that experience and improving our response for the next catastrophe.”

 To provide the best possible care for animals in an already stressful evacuation scenario, staff and volunteers from HYH will reinforce and support the county workers from the Animal Services division. 

HYH can be authorized to evacuate livestock and provide food, water, and reports on the welfare of animals that were sheltered in place because of the priority of human evacuation.  HYH also provides care and support as requested by OES and has participated in assisting other localities including during the recent Caldor and Mosquito fires.